Car Review: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD

It's time to welcome third-generation Grand Cherokee.
It builds on the strengths and success of its
eminently-successful, class-benchmark forebears. Only the model
designations - Laredo and Limited - remain the same. With
growth of more than three inches in wheelbase, five in length,
and one in width, there is a little more room inside,
particularly in width. But the new styling makes it look
smaller than the `99-`04 model.

As important as the new room and styling is what's
underneath. The chassis structure is new, and more rigid for
improved ride and handling characteristics - anywhere - and
lower noise levels. The suspension is new, and there are three
new four-wheel drive systems. (Rear-wheel drive is also
available.) The venerable pushrod 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder
base-model engine has given way to the Liberty's 3.7-liter
overhead cam V6 with more power (210 hp to 195) and torque (235
lb-ft to 230). While the 235-hp 4.7-liter V8, optional in the
Laredo and standard in the Limited, remains unchanged, those
with a need for serious power can now get parent Chrysler's new
5.7-liter ``Hemi'' in the 4x4 Limited - complete with 330
horsepower and 375 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque. .

The Jeep Grand Cherokee created quite a stir when it
made its debut in 1992 for the 1993 model year. Rather than the
body-on-frame construction that had been a staple of serious
off-road vehicles since before the days of the original World
War II Willys, the Grand Cherokee had a unibody structure, just
like a car. And it could be outfitted in positively posh
fashion. Old-time off-road enthusiasts were initially miffed,
and figured that Jeep had sold out. But many more people looked
at the Grand Cherokee, larger and more comfortable than the
Cherokee, liked what they saw, and voted with their wallets.
The Grand Cherokee was a success, and quickly became the class
benchmark. To no one's surprise, it proved to be as capable
off-road as it was comfortable on pavement. And, Jeep should
feel flattered. Unibody SUVs are no longer a rarity. .

I've spent time in all three generations of Grand
Cherokee, most recently with a new Laredo 4x4 with the 4.7 V8.
I had rain and mud to deal with, but no snow, and (sigh) no
time or opportunity to head for the hills, so no off-road
driving. But some of the paved roads in my area are ``paved''
only by stretching the definition, and provide an excellent
test of suspension comfort. The 2005 Grand Cherokee passed with
flying colors. And there was no shortage of power from the
``little'' 4.7-liter V8. If you don't need the extra power for
towing or off-road use, the V6 ought to be just fine. The Hemi
is there for the truly serious. In any form, the new Grand
Cherokee is the best of its line, and one of the best mid-sized
SUVs ever made. .

APPEARANCE: Even though no body panels are shared with
any previous Grand Cherokee, there is no doubt as to the 2005
model's identity. The new Grand Cherokee is stylish enough for
a night in the city, and rugged-looking enough for a week on
the trail. Details may be different - the shape of the dual
headlights is carried into the front fenders in the manner of
the smaller Liberty's single lights (or the front styling of
its distant relatives in Stuttgart) and the general body shape
is lower, leaner, and more muscular than Generation 2 - but the
familiar seven-slot grille and angular wheel arches and side
styling remain. The Laredo's grille is body-colored, while the
Limited's is chromed. All have car-like body-colored,
integrated bumpers. The tailgate glass can be opened
separately, for easy access for small packages. .

COMFORT: It may be rugged underneath, but the new Grand
Cherokee, even in Laredo trim, is upscale and comfortable
inside. And access is easy, just open the door and, unless
you're under five foot-three, slide right in - the unibody
construction allows a lower step-in height than a separate
frame with the same clearance and suspension travel. The
interior styling is all-new. With a sculpted look and materials
of varying textures and colors, it would not be out of place in
an entry-luxury sedan. The trim on the instrument panel and
around the window lifts is real aluminum, not a cheap-looking
plastic imitation. The center section, with the audio, climate,
and, if so outfitted, navigation system controls, is positioned
closer to the driver and front passenger for convenience. This
also angles the two center vents toward the front occupants for
better heating or cooling. The front seats are comfortable,
with good support. The steering wheel is tilt-adjustable, and
optional power-adjustable pedals make it easy for anyone to
find the perfect driving position. There are numerous
convenient storage spaces for the front passengers. The rear
seat features a higher cushion for better passenger visibility.
Call it ``theater seating'' if the optional DVD-based
entertainment system is specified. The rear seat folds 60/40,
and a reversible tray in the cargo area has carpet on one side
and bare plastic on the other, presumably for carrying wet or
messy items.

SAFETY: The 2005 Grand Cherokee's chassis structure is
designed to protect passengers in the event of an accident.
Multi-stage airbags, managed by the Occupant Classification
System, protect front-seat occupants; side-curtain bags are
available. A tire-pressure monitoring system and four-wheel
antilock disc brakes are standard. The ESP electronic stability
program system is available.

ROADABILITY: The worse the road, the happier the Jeep.
At least that was the impression I got after a week of driving
on every sort of pavement from newly-repaved Interstates to
never-maintained backroads that make a well-maintained gravel
Forest Service road seem like an Interstate in comparison.
Credit is due to the new, more rigid unibody structure and new
front and rear suspensions. At the front is an independent
short-and-long arm system with coil springs, for major
improvements in ride and handling over the previous live axle.
A coil-sprung live axle is still found in the rear, but new
locating geometry keeps it civilized. If the suspension tuning
feels a little soft at speed on the highway, it feels just
right at lower speeds on bumpy surfaces. The Laredo comes
standard with ``Quadra-Trac 1''(r), a single-range full-time
four-wheel drive system designed for year-round pavement and
light-duty offroad use. Specification of the 4.7-liter V8 in
the Laredo brings the ``Quadra-Trac II''(r) system, standard in
the Limited. It features a dual-range,
electronically-controlled transfer case, for use in more
serious conditions. Limited models with the Hemi get the
sophisticated ``Quadra-Drive II''(r) system, which adds
electronically-controlled front and rear limited-slip
differentials for maximum traction in just about any
condition.

PERFORMANCE: I doubt that you can go wrong with any of
the engine choices for the new Grand Cherokee. My test vehicle
was equipped with the 4.7-liter ``Power Tech'' V8, an
iron-block, aluminum-head single overhead cam design with 235
horsepower at 4500 rpm and 305 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm on
regular unleaded gasoline. Helped by the new five-speed
automatic transmission, it had no problems in acceleration or
passing. Manual-shift mode is standard, but unnecessary in
normal driving, although it could come in handy off-road or
towing. Choose your engine by your towing requirements:
capacity is 3,500 lbs with the V6, 6,500 with the 4.7 V8, and
7,200 with the 5.7 Hemi. .

CONCLUSIONS: Want to do the Rubicon in a tuxedo?
Here's your ride, the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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